Fangirl

    Almost all movies and books and shows and what not portray the first semester of college away from home. Every show/movie shows beautiful men and women having their first taste of freedom, no parents or rules or anyone telling you what you need to do. If you've actually ever attended a first semester away from home, you may know that the movies did you dirty. False advertising!! It is not just movies that paint this "ideal" life, books do this too. Authors love for you to think that college is awesome and you're going to love life. And man was I disappointed when my first semester was not like everything I'd ever read/seen.

   This small rant seems bizarre, right? I promise it has a purpose! Rainbow Rowell, one of my favorite authors ever, wrote a book where her main character had an authentic college experience. Cath, the leading lady of Rowell's novel, leaves home and attends college with her twin sister a few hours away from home. While Wren is living the life, making new friends and partying, Cath feels as though her life is falling apart. Seemingly alone, Cath struggles to feel comfortable with her "new life".

   Rowell's third novel is a book that I can only describe as real. Her characters are raw, and experience realistic hardships. Cath falls in love, but it isn't over night or easy. Her family life is not magical or beautiful, it is hard and broken. Cath is falling apart in the most real way I've ever read. She does not have her life together, is not showered in love by her friends, and has had to give up her favorite pass time in order to make it in her first year of college. Cath loses herself, and has to take a bit of time finding herself in the world around her.

   Not only are the characters relatable and lovable... the details are captivating. A main reason readers can love Cath and her friends so much is because of the details that Rowell saturates her novel with. Cath does not just write stories about her favorite book, she creates her own world that helps her to survive her hardships. Rowell helps her readers to really understand Cath by creating the world of Simon and Baz. Confused? Don't be. This book is so easy to follow, while still creating suspense and dimension. Seriously. This book is extraordinary.

   Another thing I adored about this book was that it is NOT  a love story! Cath doesn't go off to college and find herself in a boy. She finds herself within herself. #YouGoGirl!!!!! Everything about this book, even the sequel! That's right, I said it! There's another book that stems from Fangirl. It's about Simon and Baz, and seriously... you need to read it! That's all I'm going to say! (For now!) All in all, I think this is another beautiful "coming of age" story. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who feels lost in their first semester / year of college. When I read about Cath I felt better instantly - I realized I wasn't alone in my feelings of isolation.

  In the end, this book gets a 10/10. I think the ideal reader of this novel is anyone from 15-25. I don't think that "adults" would love this book, it is most certainly aimed at a younger audience. But that's not to say anyone over 25 would hate this book! But really. Please go and pick up a copy of this book at your local bookstore! You won't be disappointed.

XO,

Allie